Restaurant is sweet addition to Glen Ellyn

When it came time to name her restaurant in downtown Glen Ellyn, Elizabeth Janus had options.

"We had a huge list of names," Janus said. "But Honey just came to me. It's sweet. It's nurturing. It's nourishing. It's also a great term of endearment."

Honey Cafe, 499 N. Main St., has already endeared itself to a loyal following of customers. A trip to the busy dining room on a Saturday confirmed that.

Cindy Weber-Han had traveled from West Chicago based on the recommendation of friends. Weber-Han, who had a tilapia sandwich and sweet potato fries, rated the food very good. Her friend, Kathy Gingrich, raved about the chicken pot pie. And they both appreciated the cheerful atmosphere.

"I like the colors, I like the art," Weber-Han said. "And it's sunny and bright in here."

Regular customers sisters Jill and Rachel Doubek agreed.

"I love this place," Rachel said. "It makes me happy when I walk in."

Those are the kinds of comments owner Janus likes to hear. She tailored the menu and the décor to appeal to a certain niche. The atmosphere is a pleasing combination of old and new, with the two dining rooms a soothing palette of butter, aqua and russet.

Modern-looking chairs and tables sit amid brick walls and hardwood floors. Touches like fresh flowers, copper accents and well-placed art add a modern look to a traditional setting.

"This reminds me of a place in the city," added Jill Doubek, who is originally from Glen Ellyn but now lives in Chicago.

"I get that all the time," said Janus, also former owner of the Good Works Gallery, which she sold in 2004. "People would say, 'This is like a city store.' Now with Honey, I get the same types of comments."

Janus would describe her menu as modern, yet eclectic.

"My typical customer is a Whole Foods shopper."

Her recipes feature wholesome, free-range chicken and natural grass-fed beef. There are organic wine choices, and the coffee is organic, too.

Even the grilled cheese sandwich, which Janus said is her best-selling menu item, is described on the menu as "Not just grilled cheese " and combines whole grain bread, basil pesto, aged white cheddar cheese, arugula and fresh herbs. It is served with organic mixed greens or fries tossed with a special blend of "secret" ingredients.

A bakery case filled with temptations created by bakery manager Anna Davidson sits provocatively close to the doorway.

"Everything in our bakery case is made from scratch every day," Janus said.

Soon after opening last November, the restaurant experienced a setback.

"We lost our chef," Janus said. "We closed for 10 days and had to completely regroup. It was kind of like the floor fell out from under us. Now we have a great kitchen staff."

Her two chefs, Mary Gonzalez and Lisa Westergaard, are doing a fabulous job.

"We are ready to bring back dinner," Janus added.

The menu changes seasonally, and usually features daily specials. According to Janus, the restaurant fills a need and complements other businesses in Glen Ellyn rather than competing with them.

"I thought, 'What can I do that I knew would succeed?' Because I know the community, I felt confident."

Janus, who lives in Lombard, loves the business and is glad that she chose Glen Ellyn as its site.

"I truly do love this community," she said. "It's been so nice, the way people have responded. It's really wonderful, energizing."

And she is glad she chose the name Honey.

"Most of us have a Honey in our life, " she said.

For details, call (630) 469-0000.